Stone’s joy at winning start

Rishworthians gave new head coach Chris Stone a dream start with a convincing 24-0 win at Redcar in the Yorkshire Shield.

“We played some good rugby, but there is still a lot of work to do, although it was good not to concede any points,” he said.

New captain Fraser Swarbrooke said: “It means we can take a lot of positives into next week’s opening league game at Knottingley.”

The victory means Rishworthians will have a home tie in the next round against Yarnbury, who progressed because Old Crossleyans called off their scheduled tie at Broomfield to give the Leeds club a walkover.

For Rishworthians the 100-mile trip to the north east coast seemed to have little effect and they blew away the home side in the first third of the game.

They scored four tries in an excellent opening spell and while they failed to add to that in the rest of the game, the score could easily have been double.

Four clear-cut chances went begging and while they had to work hard in defence, particularly in the second half, they looked to be in control throughout.

They scored from their first possession. Centre Taniela Bakoso made a great break before linking with fellow centre Kurt Sutcliffe, who slipped the ball inside to supporting flanker Gerard Rollings for a fine try. Fullback Joe Billing converted.

It was the forwards’ turn after that, with a catch and drive for the home line. It broke up, but No 8 James Clarke was able to force his way over.

Bakoso then crossed after inter-passing with wing Anthony Shoesmith for what looked like a great try, only to be called back for a foot in touch.

Redcar were unable to cope with the pace of Rishworthians’ game and Bakoso was there again to break through, supported by Sutcliffe, before the forwards took over and man of the match, flanker Nick Faulkner, finished off.

The visitors were called upon to defend for the first time and easily held out the home side.

They were strong in the scrums and Swarbrooke dominated the lineout, but it wasFaulkner who got the fourth try, breaking through a mass of players and completing a 40-yard run to the line. Billing added the conversion.

Rishworthians continued attacking and should have scored twice more before half-time.

After the break, the expected onslaught never quite materialised and the home side came more into the game, but the visitors were in control in defence.